Jacket for domestic animals

ABSTRACT

The jacket for domestic animals ( 18 ), in particular small and medium-sized dogs and cats, comprises a flexible element which is intended to extend round the body of the animal ( 18 ). A handle ( 28 ), which can allow the animal ( 18 ) to be carried by the person holding it, is further associated with the external surface of the portion of the flexible element which is intended, in normal use, to be next to the back of the animal ( 18 ). The handle ( 28 ) is preferably removable in a selective manner.

The present invention relates to a jacket for domestic animals, inparticular small and medium-sized dogs and cats.

More particularly, such a jacket comprises a flexible element which isintended to extend round the body of the animal in order to serve asprotection from the effects of atmospheric agents and optionally toallow one end of a leash to be attached.

The object of the present invention is to provide a jacket of the typedescribed above in order to fulfil further functions in addition to theones described above.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a jackethaving the features which are specifically referred to in the appendedmain claim. Preferred features of the jacket of the invention areindicated in the dependent claims.

Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention willbecome clear from the following detailed description, which is givenpurely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appendeddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a jacket according to the invention in anunfolded, non-operative configuration,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the jacket from FIG. 1 in a tubularconfiguration,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the jacket from the preceding Figures asworn by an animal,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a detail of a further embodiment of ajacket according to the invention,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the details in FIG. 4 in a differentconfiguration, and

FIGS. 6 to 8 are sectional views of some components of the jacket inFIGS. 4 and 5 in respective operative positions.

A jacket for domestic animals, in particular small and medium-sized dogsand cats, comprises (FIG. 1) a flexible element which is in the form ofa sheet 10 of substantially symmetrical shape relative to a centrallongitudinal axis 12 and having end tongues which are provided withmutual attachment means 14 of the micro-hook or Velcro type. The sheet10 can be produced from any flexible material which is suitable forcontact with the skin of animals, for example, a fabric, a non-wovenfabric, an expanded plastics material, or the like, and can optionallyhave a layered structure and/or have cavities on the inside. Theexternal perimeter of the sheet 10 is further fitted with padding 16.Owing to the flexibility of the sheet 10, the shape thereof and thepresence of attachment means 14, it is possible (FIGS. 2 and 3) to foldit into a substantially tubular configuration, in which it extends roundthe body of the animal 18 and leaves openings 20 for the passage of thepaws and the head of the animal. A strap 22 is further associated withthe external surface of the sheet 10 and is provided with a buckle 24for closing and adjusting the length, which strap is orientatedsubstantially coaxially with the sheet 10 when the sheet 10 takes up thetubular configuration. The strap 22 can be used to attach variousarticles to the jacket, for example, a small bag 26 for containing smallcloths.

A handle 28 having a C-shaped body, the ends 30 of which are secured toa reinforcing bar 32 which is inserted inside the sheet 10, isassociated with the external surface of the portion of the sheet 10 thatis intended, in normal use, to be contiguous to the back of the animal18 (i.e. the central portion of the sheet 10, which is remote from theends thereof with the attachment means 14).

The jacket is worn by the animal 18 in a conventional manner in order toperform its typical functions of protection from the effects ofatmospheric agents, insects, and the like, which do not involve thepresence of the handle 28. When the animal 18 has to be carried, forexample, in order to prevent it from soiling given surroundings or toallow it to overcome obstacles, it is sufficient (FIG. 3) to grasp thehandle 28 and to apply a lifting action. The flexible sheet 10 therebyacts as a harness, allowing convenient and comfortable carrying both forthe animal 18, since the force which supports it is dischargedhomogeneously over the stomach of the animal, and for the person who isgrasping the handle 28 and who is therefore aided in supporting theweight thereof. For greater security during carrying, it is furtherconvenient to tighten the strap 22 beforehand so that the animal 18remains held tightly in the flexible sheet 10 without being able to freeitself.

FIGS. 4 to 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the jacket according tothe invention, wherein numerals identical to those used with referenceto the preceding FIGS. 1 to 3 refer to identical or equivalent elements.

The structure and the general function of the jacket remainsubstantially unchanged relative to the above description with referenceto the first embodiment. In this case, however, the handle 28 isprovided with means which can allow the selective disengagement thereoffrom the flexible sheet 10.

A substantially rectangular strip of fabric 34 is fixed, in particularsewn, along the long sides thereof to the central region of the sheet10. The reinforcing bar 32 has raised ends 36 and is inserted betweenthe strip 34 and the facing region of the sheet 10 in such a manner thatthe ends 36 project outside the strip 34 and prevent the bar 32 fromsliding.

Both of the ends 36 have (FIGS. 4 and 5) respective longitudinal holes38 which are orientated substantially parallel with the bar 32.Furthermore, the front end 36 has an opening 40 which is orientatedsubstantially transversely relative to the bar 32 in a verticaldirection and which communicates with the respective longitudinal hole38.

A first strap and a second strap 42 which are suitable for securing therespective ends 36 of the bar 32 are further fixed to the sheet 10transversely relative to the bar 32.

The handle 28 has a C-shaped body with the central piece padded, a rearend from which projects an end piece 44 which is inserted into the rearhole 38 of the bar 32 and a front end which is integral with a sleeve 46provided with means which can be engaged selectively with the opening 40and the front hole 38 of the bar 32.

The sleeve 46 has (FIG. 6) a cavity 48 which extends vertically in anaxial direction and in which a slide 50 is mounted for sliding, whichslide 50 comprises a head 52 which can be activated from outside, ashank 54 which is integral with the head 52 and a tubular element 56which is mounted coaxially outside the central and distal portions ofthe shank 54. A first resilient member 58 is arranged between a radialshoulder 60 of the shank 54 and a first radially extending locatingsurface 62 of a flange 64 which is integral with the tubular element 56,and a second resilient member 66 which is more flexible than the firstresilient member 58 is arranged between a second radially extendinglocating surface 68 of the flange 64 and an abutment surface 70 of thesleeve 46. The distal end of the shank 54 further has a circumferentialchannel 72 and the distal end of the tubular element 56 has, atdiametrically opposing positions, a pair of radial cavities 74, in whichare arranged respective spherical retaining members 76.

Under normal conditions (FIG. 6), the distal end of the slide 50projects from the sleeve 46 and extends through the vertical opening 40of the front end 36 of the bar 32, with the shank 54 in a retractedposition inside the tubular element 56. As a result, the spheres 76project outside the tubular element and engage against the wall 78surrounding the opening 40 of the bar 32 in such a manner that thehandle 28 is secured to the sheet 10 (FIG. 4).

If instead it is decided to separate the handle 28 from the sheet 10, itis necessary to press the head 52 of the slide 50 downwards in themanner of a push-button. Since the second resilient member 66 is moreflexible than the first 58, it is compressed first and the whole slide50 slides downwards, releasing the spheres 76 from contact with the wall78 (FIG. 7). Further pressure on the head 52 also causes compression ofthe first resilient member 58 and sliding of the shank 54 relative tothe tubular element 56, in such a manner that the circumferentialchannel 72 is aligned with the cavities 74 and allows the spheres 76 tore-enter the tubular element 56 (FIG. 8) completely. Therefore, theslide 50 is no longer engaged with the wall 78 so that it is possible torelease the front end of the handle 28 from the front end 36 of the bar32 following a simple lifting action. Afterwards, by pulling the handle28 forwards, the end piece 44 thereof is released from the rear hole 38of the bar 32. The handle 28 is thereby completely disengaged from theholes 38 of the bar 32, and therefore from the sheet 10 (FIG. 5).

This separation can be advantageously used in order not to burden theanimal 18 with the weight of the handle 28 when the animal is walkingindependently when wearing the jacket. If instead it is necessary tocarry the animal 18, it is simply sufficient to re-attach the handle 28to the bar 32 which is integral with the flexible sheet 10 by repeatingin reverse order the operations described above. In this manner, thehandle 28 constitutes a handle grip for the sheet 10 which functions asa harness for the animal 18 similarly to that mentioned with referenceto the first embodiment of the jacket.

Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the formsof embodiment and details of construction may be varied widely withrespect to those described and illustrated, which have been given purelyby way of example, without thereby departing from the scope of theinvention. In particular, the flexible element and the handle could besubstantially of any shape.

1. A jacket for domestic animals (18), in particular small andmedium-sized dogs and cats, comprising a flexible element which isintended to extend round the body of the animal (18) and wherein ahandle (28), which can allow the animal (18) to be carried by the personholding it, is associated with the external surface of the portion ofthe flexible element that is intended, in normal use, to be contiguousto the back of the animal (18), said jacket being characterized in thatthe handle (28) is provided with means which can allow the selectivedisengagement thereof from the flexible element.
 2. A jacket accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the flexible element is a sheet (10)of flexible material having, at the ends, mutual attachment means (14)which allow it to be folded into a substantially tubular configuration,in which it extends round the body of the animal (18), and the handle(28) is arranged on the external surface of the central portion of thesheet (10).
 3. A jacket according to claim 2, characterized in that saidsheet (10) has openings (20) for the passage of the paws and the head ofthe animal and the means for mutual attachment (14) are of themicro-hook type.
 4. A jacket according to claim 1, characterized in thata strap (22) which is provided with a buckle (24) for closing andadjusting the length is associated with the external surface of theflexible element.
 5. A jacket according to claim 1, characterized inthat the handle (28) has a C-shaped body.
 6. A jacket according to claim1, characterized in that the flexible element is provided with areinforcing bar (32).
 7. A jacket according to claim 6, characterized inthat a strip of substantially rectangular fabric (34) is fixed along thelong sides thereof to the sheet (10) and the reinforcing bar (32) hasraised ends (36) and is inserted between the strip (34) and the facingsheet portion (10) in such a manner that the ends (36) project outsidethe strip (34) and prevent the bar (32) from sliding.
 8. A jacketaccording to claim 6, characterized in that both of the ends (36) of thebar (32) have respective longitudinal holes (38) which are orientatedsubstantially parallel with the bar (32) and the front end further hasan opening (40) which is orientated substantially transversely relativeto the bar (32) in a vertical direction and which communicates with therespective hole (38).
 9. A jacket according to claim 6, characterized inthat a first strap and a second strap (42) which are suitable forsecuring the respective ends (36) of the bar (32) are fixed to the sheet(10) transversely relative to the bar (32).
 10. A jacket according toclaim 8, characterized in that the handle (28) has a C-shaped bodyhaving a rear end, from which projects an end piece (44) which can beinserted into the hole (38) of the rear end (36) of the bar (32) and afront end which is integral with a sleeve (46) provided with means whichcan be engaged selectively with the opening (40) and the hole (38) ofthe front end (36) of the bar (32).
 11. A jacket according to claim 10,characterized in that the sleeve (46) has a cavity (48) which extendsvertically in an axial direction and in which a slide (50) is mountedfor sliding, which slide comprises a head (52) which can be activatedfrom outside, a shank (54) which is integral with the head (52) and atubular element (56) which is mounted coaxially outside the central anddistal portions of the shank (54), a first resilient member (58) beingarranged between a radial shoulder (60) of the shank (54) and a firstradially extending locating surface (62) of a flange (64) which isintegral with the tubular element (56), a second resilient member (66)which is more flexible than the first resilient member (58) beingarranged between a second radially extending locating surface (68) ofthe flange (64) and an abutment surface (70) of the sleeve (46), thedistal end of the shank (54) having a circumferential channel (72) andthe distal end of the tubular element (56) having at least one radialcavity (74), in which is arranged a retaining member which can projectpartially outside the tubular element (56).
 12. A jacket according toclaim 11, characterized in that the distal end of the tubular element(56) has, at diametrically opposing positions, a pair of radial cavities(74), in which are arranged respective spherical retaining members (76).